Hometown heroes

Tech. Sgt. Nikki Carden, her husband Senior Master Sgt. David Carden and their two boys were honored for their involvement in the local community during a varsity girl's basketball game at Satellite High School, Satellite Beach, Fla., Dec. 2011. Nikki's most recent involvement with the community brought awareness to breast cancer with the Relay for Life. (Courtesy photo)

Open door policy

Tech. Sgt. Nikki Carden, chief, force management, 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and Senior Master Sgt. Robert Potts, 920th RQW mission support group career advisor, talk about the units upcoming operation readiness exercise this fall. Carden is responsible processing the military qualifications for Air Reserve Technicians, amongst other duties. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Natasha Dowridge)

Welcoming home dad

After a four month deployment, Tech. Sgt. Nikki Carden, chief, force management, 920th Rescue Wing, force support squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and family anxiously await the arrival of her husband, Senior Master Sgt. David Carden, air ground equipment flight chief. One of the unit's peacetime missions are providing civil search and rescue support for those who are lost or in distress, and providing humanitarian and disaster-relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Natasha Dowridge)

Community relations important to Rescue Reservist

Published May 9, 2012
By Senior Airman Natasha Dowridge
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A football team can't win a game with only a quarterback. The 920th Rescue Wing here cannot deploy its Reserve Airmen if they are not properly prepared. While there are differences, the fundamentals are the same; teamwork, preparedness and purpose.

One Rescue Reservist stands out among many; Tech. Sgt. Nikki Carden, chief, force management, 920th RQW force support squadron, is a vital player in the wings ability to work hard and play harder.

Her role is to ensure that Rescue Wing Airmen are mission ready. She is in charge of personnel manning of the wing by managing vacancies, making sure Airmen that are new or retraining have the correct qualifications in the specified field and processing the military qualifications for Air Reserve Technicians (ART).

"If we don't do the personnel actions required to take care of our troops, our troops and mission would be impacted," said Carden.

Even with a demanding job at the 920th RQW, Carden still manages to give back to the community.

Every year she tries to participate in the March of Dimes, local beach clean ups and donates items to the Salvation Army. Her most recent participation was with Relay for Life in April.

In the wake of difficult economic times, Carden finds it especially important to help the community now more than ever.

"It is very important not to lose focus on those that are less fortunate," said Carden. "It feels good to give back and to know you are making a difference. I try to volunteer as much as I can. It's hard sometimes, but we have to remember our Air Force core values."

Carden is married to fellow Rescue Airmen, Senior Master Sgt. David Carden, air ground equipment flight chief, and has two boys ages 5 and 1. She is also the step mother her husband's 20 and 17 year old daughter and son respectfully. Her husband recently returned home after a four-month long deployment overseas.

"We all play a major role in the mission," said Carden. "If one of the pieces is missing we can't complete the mission."

For more information on the 920th RQW, visit their website, Facebook and Twitter.